The US West World Premiere was produced by The Denver Center Theatre Company, Donovan Marley, Artistic Director in association with Tectonic Theater Project, Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director. Originally produced in New York City at the Union Square Theatre by Roy Gabay and Tectonic Theater Project in association with Gayle Francis and the Araca Group Associate Producers: Mara Isaacs and Hart Sharp Entertainment. The Laramie Project was developed in part with the support of The Sundance Theatre Laboratory. In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised, and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. The Laramie Project THE LARAMIE PROJECT Written by Moisés Kaufman and the Members of Tectonic Theater Project HEAD WRITER Leigh Fondakowski ASSOCIATE WRITERS Stephen Belber, Greg Pierotti, Stephen Wangh DRAMATURGS Amanda Gronich, Sarah Lambert, John McAdams, Maude Mitchell, Andy Paris, Barbara Pitts, Kelli Simpkins For more information on THE LARAMIE PROJECT and the Tectonic Theatre Project, visit tectonictheaterproject.org and follow the company on social media.
Spotlight Theatre’s 81st Season! PRODUCER DIRECTOR STAGE MANAGER SET DESIGN SET CONSTRUCTION SET PAINTING LIGHTING DESIGN LIGHTING OPERATOR SOUND OPERATOR COSTUMERS HOUSE MANAGER PROMPTER Tom Mostek Charles Thomas Jack Lyons Charles Thomas Tom Mostek Charles Hoffmann Joe Ward Charles Thomas Charles Thomas Cast Rich Russell Lisa Verzella Show is performed in three acts; There will be two short intermission. ENSEMBLE: HOUSE RULES CAMERAS AND RECORDING DEVICES The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking performance is strictly prohibited.
Proudly supports Ridley Raiders Youth Football and Cheerleading “Green Raider Pride and Tradition Starts Here” Ridley Raiders Youth Football and Cheerleading has been a member of the Bert Bell Memorial Conference since 2009. Ridley Football has a long tradition known to some as the "Green Mystique". Ridley Raiders Youth Football and Cheerleading gives your child the opportunity to be a part of this at a young age. The "Mystique" represents pride in your school and community, dedication to your teammates, coaches, attempting to achieve success at the highest levels, both in your classroom and on the eld of play. Our mission is to help guide the youth of Ridley with the Knowledge, Skills, and Love of the Game. We hope this program will be part of the Proud Ridley Football and Cheerleading Tradition that exists. Contact us at [email protected] www.RidleyRaidersYouthFootball.com
October 12, 1998 Matthew Shepard, a college student from Wyoming who was gay, was beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Matthew was the victim of a heinous hate crime. Hate is a very powerful emotion, but so is love. This is a story about both those emotions. The story is also about a town: Laramie. During this powerful play, you will meet some of the people of Laramie: the good, the bad, and the ugly. That’s about as much of the story I want to tell you about here. The rest you can experience in the moment. Our production features 11 incredibly talented individuals who bring to life over 60 characters. This is an incredible challenge for a performer, and all of the ones you will see tonight stepped up to the challenge. If it weren’t for this group, this show would not be possible. There are four things I want to bring to your attention regarding tonight’s production: 1) The actors never leave the stage. They will change into di erent people right before your eyes. 2) There are no elaborate costumes or sets. The actors will each add something to their “basic” costume to help you distinguish who they are in each moment. 3) As with the original production, female actors will play male characters during the show. 4) This show will have some di cult subject matter and language that will make you think. Remember all of the language and thoughts are taken from interviews with the actual residents these actors are portraying. That being said, please sit back and get to know the residents of Laramie and hear the tale of Matthew Shepard. I hope the play leaves the same impact on you as it did me. And remember . . . love is a powerful tool for change. Best, Chas Thomas Charles THOMAS (Director)
Cathy Gibbons Mostek (Catherine Connolly, Barbara Pitts, Allison Mears, etc.) Frank Friestedt (Narrator) John Hornung (Dr.Cantway, Rob Debree, Andy Paris, etc.) Frank has long been drawn to the arts; playing music writing producing and performing The Frank Friestedt Show for local cable access in the mid 1970’s performing with guests. As a young professional musician Frank toured the USA as well as performed aboard the S.S. Norway (formerly the S.S. France superliner) in 1980/1981. Early school performances included Waiting for Godot, Antigone, Twelfth Night, and Macheath in Beggars Opera. In the mid 1980’s Frank enjoyed supporting and lead roles with Beverly Hills Players and Hampden Players. In recent years Frank performed in Music Man (Charlie Cowell), Harvey (Elwood P. Dowd), Promises Promises (Sheldrake and, in a later production, Dr. Dreyfuss), Young Frankenstein (Inspektor Kemp), Beauty and the Beast (Maurice, Belle’s quirky father), and A Few Good Men as Dr. Stone. He is delighted to be the Narrator of The Laramie Project for such a wonderful company of talented actors. is incredibly happy to be returning to the Spotlight stage after the COVID hiatus! She was last seen here as Amanda in The Glass Menagerie in Jan 2020. Other favorite Spotlight roles include: Mary in The Women, Janine in 50 Words, and Regina in The Little Foxes. Regionally, some of her favorite roles include: Ruth in Blithe Spirit (Stagecrafters), Paulina in Death and the Maiden (PCS), and Mrs. Erlynne in Lady Windermere's Fan (AlphaNYC). She is so glad to be acting with many longtime friends as well as a few new ones. She is especially happy to be sharing the stage with her husband, Tom: a rarity that has not occurred since 2008! Much thanks to Chas for all the fun and collaboration! John is excited to be back on stage for the first time in 10 years and thrilled to be taking part in a play with such an important message. Previous roles include Noises Off (Freddy), Death of a Salesman (Happy), and Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick, Leonato). Productions he has directed include Our Town, The Dining Room, and Letters to the Editor. John teaches high school English at Shipley and dedicates his performance to his children and daughter-in-law with much gratitude for their love and support. Randino is honored to be included in this phenomenal cast. Some of his favorite roles include: Clp. Howard- A Few Good Men, Carmen Ghia- The Producers, Leo/Maxine- Leading Ladies, Judah, Joseph... Technicolor Dreamcoat; Manolo Sanchez- Frost/Nixon, Aaron- Chicago, Malcolm/Yetta Felson- Red Scare On Sunset, Puppeteer #2- Avenue Q and Pablo- Sister Act. This show is a labor of love and I hope that you'll come away from it with the knowledge that we all matter and that the work is far from over. To my husband, Jack, Mahal kita! Randino Del Rosario (Rulon Stacey, Aaron Kreifels, GregPierotti etc.)
Aliyah Batot (Jedadiah Schultz, Zubaida Ula, Zackie Salmon, etc.) Tom Mostek (Father Roger Schmit, Matt Mickelson, Gil Engen, etc.) Aliyah Batot is a Philadelphia area actress who is honored to return to Spotlight and be a part of such an important production. She first hit the Spotlight stage as Lt. Commander Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men and is excited to be back. Some of her other past credits include Rising from a Thousand Thrones (Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley), In Love and Warcraft (Evie), Metamorphoses (Alcyone/Psyche/Etc), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), and many more. Aliyah has also been seen in a number of award-winning local independent films such as Double Faced (2020) and Human Hibachi 2 (2021). A huge thank you to Chas for giving her this opportunity, Alex for all of his love and support, and everyone involved for making this show happen! Tom is excited to step out from the backstage and set building to be able to share the stage with such a fun and talented cast. He was last seen at Spotlight in Young Frankenstein and Inherit the Wind and prior to that in various Gilbert & Sullivan shows with Thespis, Etc. He wants to give a special thanks to Chas for his trust and to Cathy, his wife and fellow cast member, for showing how it is done. Rachel Thomas (Rebecca Hilliker, Reggie Fluty, Sherry Aanenson, etc.) Rachel Thomas is thrilled to be back on the Spotlight stage alongside so many talented people. She was previously seen in Sylvia, Prisoner on Second Avenue, and Beauty and the Beast. Rachel's other roles are as a preschool teacher, a consultant for Pampered Chef, a mom to 3 amazing kids, and wife of 27 years. She wants to thank Chas for allowing her to be part of this amazing experience. Steve is excited to be part of this important and continually relevant production; his third with Spotlight Theatre. He is so happy to share the stage with these other excellent performers. Steve has performed locally with Walnut Street, The Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Shakespeare Festivals, Luna Theatre, Hedgerow, City Theatre, the Ritz Theatre , Simpatico, Irish Heritage and South Camden Theatre companies. Some favorite roles include John in Shining City, Drummond in Inherit the Wind, the Men in My Name is Asher Lev, Stephen in Dealer’s Choice, Robert in Proof, the title role in Macbeth, Bobby Gould in Speed the Plow, Eddie in Conversations with My Father, and Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night. He also has had featured and major roles in several independent films, has been seen in the second season of the House of Cards Netflix series. Steve lives with his wife Susan in Delaware. Steve Gleich (Doc, Harry, Phelps, etc.)
JOIN U S FOR LUNCH, DINNER or HAPPY HOUR!! WE’LL BE WAITIN FOR YA’LL, SO COME ON UP AND SEE US Only 1.8 Miles from SPOTLIGHT THEATRE!
Russell Weidenmiller (Matt Galloway, Aaron McKinney ,Jon Peacock, etc.) Dani Kennedy (Rebecca Hilliker, Reggie Fluty, Sherry Aanenson, etc.) Natalie Merlino (Romaine Patterson, Amanda Gronich, Tiffany Edwards, etc.) Russell is proud to return to the stage at Spotlight Theatre as a part of this important story, and thanks his friends and family for their unending support. Previously, he has appeared at Spotlight as Philip in The Lion In Winter, Sammy in The Wedding Singer, Sam Weinburg in A Few Good Men, and as Tom in The Glass Menagerie. Natalie is enthused to be making her debut on the Spotlight stage to help tell this compassionate story. Born and raised in Delaware County, Natalie began acting in middle school when she started performing in school and community theater productions. Her most recent theatrical roles include Stacy in A Nice Family Christmas, Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing, and Emma in Some Sweet Day. She has also been involved in various student and short film projects through the years. Outside of her passion for the performing arts, Natalie works as a licensed marriage and family therapist and enjoys being a dog mom to her maltipoo named Romeo. Dani has been involved in community theatre for over 30 years. Favorite roles include Charlotte in Beyond Therapy, Steele in A Piece of My Heart and Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Directing credits include Of Mice and Men, Art, Doubt and After-Play. She thanks Chas for this opportunity to tell this important story with such an awesome and talented cast. By day Dani works at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University. She lives in Havertown with her sweet and supportive husband Brian and two lazy Cairn Terriers.
Member Benefits: • Reserved front or second row seating • The Spotlight Theatre House Membership version of a quarterly newsletter • Spotlight Bucks (season concession cash voucher worth $5.00) • Access to early bird season announcements and audition notices. • House member names will appear in all playbills and website. • $1.00 off regular ticket price for all shows/events. • Each member will receive a special thank you gift. Support Spotlight Theatre. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates!
2022/2023 SEASON
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